Production Machining

NOV 2017

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The Zaisers do
not consider
themselves weapons
specialists, but rather
manufacturing
specialists who find
ways to make things
better and more
efficiently.
:: Len Zaiser III and IV have effectively grown their busi-
ness by staying focused on a narrow segment of manu-
facturing. Their Tsugami Swiss machines have played a big
role in keeping parts moving out the door.
N
umerous factors can play into the ebb and flow
of firearms production. Predictions surrounding
the last presidential election and related concerns
about gun control, for instance, drove up sales of certain
models such as the AR platform, only for demand to
sharply decline once the votes were counted. As with many
other manufacturing sectors, the cyclical nature of this
market can force shops to broaden their scope, reaching
out to other areas to strategically diversify their opera-
tions. But some may view this step as a sure way to stagnate
technological advancement by limiting specialization. To
quickly grow as a prominent supplier of firearms compo-
nents, one Naples, Florida, shop has remained specifically
focused in this area of manufacturing.
Specialization
Len Zaiser III is a self-proclaimed machine tool nut. His love
for the industry is reflected in his life-long devotion to his
career in making parts. He no doubt handed much of this
enthusiasm down to his son, Len Zaiser IV. e two previ-
ously owned a contract manufacturing company together,
producing complex five-axis medical implants to some of
the biggest medical supply companies in the world.
After selling the medical implant shop, the Zaisers
began considering other possibilities. ey observed what
they viewed as inefficiencies in the firearms industry, and
realizing they could establish a significant niche there,
opened Azimuth Technology in 2012. e company does
everything from full assembly of light firearms to compo-
nents, producing many small firearms products such as
match grade barrels and slides for such name brand products
as Glock, H&K, Smith and Wesson and Beretta, along with
grenade launchers,
suppressors and IED
finders. Lot sizes range
from a few hundred to
tens of thousands in such
materials as aluminum,
titanium, stainless steel and
unique alloys.
e Zaisers do not
consider themselves
weapons specialists, but
rather manufacturing
specialists who find ways
to make things better and more efficiently. And they feel
that by focusing on one specific end market, they can refine
the production process to a highly competitive art. But
there is a little more to it, as weapons manufacturing can
require a fair number of qualifiers. As such, beyond being
ISO 9001:2008 certified, Azimuth is DOD-registered, it has
a Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) code to
identify as a supplier to defense agencies, it's licensed in
International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) for export
of defense-related articles and services, and it has class
7 and 10 ATF licenses to allow the production and sale of
destructive devices such as grenade launchers.
e younger Mr. Zaiser says they have spent a lot of time,
effort and money building their "Field of Dreams," and the
customers are coming in droves. e company's services are
in such demand that capacity limitations forced 60 percent
of the potential business to be turned away last year. It's
clear why there's no real need to reach out into other areas
of manufacturing. e philosophy seems to be working, as
the company has quickly grown to 130 employees and 107
CNC machines, making an assortment of products for more
than 130 different customers.
Applying Swiss
e Zaisers were first introduced to Tsugami Swiss machines
at their medical implant business, where the machines
were used in the production of bone screws. Azimuth now
runs two Tsugami B0125s, two SS20s, and one B0206 on
lot sizes from 500 to 50,000 pieces. e younger Mr. Zaiser
says Tsugami machines will be the only Swiss machines his
company will ever own. He is currently looking to acquire a
slant-bed lathe with a Y axis on the turret.
Firearms Production
productionmachining.com :: 33